So before layup this year I've decided to rebed most of the hardware penetrating my '83 P303's deck. A few of the bolts show signs of leaking from below so it only made sense to rebed and epoxy pot everything I can. I started with the stern rail and when the two stanchions that fasten through the starboard and port rails were removed the water penetration was obvious. Black, wet, mush. I pulled out as much as I possibly could through the three mounting holes and the larger center hole - I probably got at least 2" in each direction. My question: this is a very narrow section of deck due to being so far aft and located so close between the deck joint and the cockpit. I don't want to cut the deck open and recore; can I pull as much wet material as possible out through the existing holes - even possibly adding another hole further forward to get more wet out, and then fill with thickened epoxy? Thanks in advance, Mike.
Pearson p303 stanchion rebed and wet deck rot repair
- Thread starter MikeK2B
- Start date
I ended up doing what I suggested in my original post. I used the large hole located under the stanchions to pull as much rot out as I could. I also added 5/16" hole a little further up so I could get to solid core. I filled the void with thickened epoxy in small amounts as using too much at the same time would heat up too much. I made a new oversized aluminum backing plate to go below and used a stainless screw to plug the added 5/16" hole so it doesn't really look that out of place. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Good Job Mike! What did you use for a sealant Gasket or 5200 or Bedit putty? I will be starting mine in the fall. I am planning to add a surface drain right near there. Pearson located the drain too far forward not allowing water to drain properly so it puddles around the back 2 stanchions and its hard to keep dry.
Capt. Rob
Capt. Rob
I used Bed-It per Maine Sail. Should be good-to-go from here on out! In retrospect adding a drain is a great idea! Maybe I'll put that on my fall list. Still too many things on the spring list to do.